New club organization plans to help the homeless

Volunteering at homeless shelters and providing care packages are part of the agenda.

By R. M. Ozuniga

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

The Social Justice Organization is a new student organization with the mission of changing the community for the better.

The organization’s aim is to approach an issue, analyze it and resolve it, said Mario Romero, marketing freshman and organization member.

Social Justice met for the second time Sept. 29 inside the civic engagement annex. Six students discussed volunteer work and ideas for providing homeless people with food and other basic necessities.

At the previous meeting Sept. 22, Romero proposed a project idea he called “Back to the Basics,” in which the organization could provide care packages for homeless people.

Romero said the care packages would include a toothbrush, toothpaste and other daily essentials along with a note of encouragement.

Romero also talked about getting the organization to help volunteer at Haven for Hope, a local sanctuary for individuals with no place to live.

Civic engagement leaders Joseph Leidecke and Bianca Sapet suggested members join upcoming projects such as “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat,” a project for collecting donated non-perishable food items for unfortunate individuals.

“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” Liedecke said at the organization meeting, Sept. 29.

“These are some of the things civic engagement is working on, so you all can jump on board to kind of get your feet wet.”

Dr. Robert Vela, this college’s president, asked Liedecke and Sapet to start an organization that would help students and other individuals get involved with the community, Romero said.

Freshman Jayme Esparza signed up without knowing what to expect at first.

“I really liked everything they talked about. I really love helping other people so I will definitely be staying there,” Esparza said.

Journalism freshman Kimberly Brown stumbled upon the Social Justice Organization when seeking help from civic engagement.

Brown has had first-hand experience with homelessness and a shortage of resources. “I’ve been around all that. This is something I’d love to get involved with because it’s something that needs attention, especially in San Antonio,” Brown said.

So far, there are six members of the organization.

Since the organization is still forming, Liedecke said they’re going to take it one step at a time with community service ideas.

Anyone with good will and a passion for helping the community is encouraged to join the organization, Romero said.

Meetings are held at 12:15 p.m. Thursday sinside the civic engagement annex, on Dewey Place.